3-28 CCN Letters to the Editor

Published March 27, 2013 at 2:22 pm

Troops make huge sacrifices, deserve our full support

To the editor:

Saying goodbye. Everyone does it, but imagine saying goodbye to a loved one knowing you will not see them in nearly a year and a half. On top of that, imagine that your loved one is going into a combat zone, fighting for our freedom, so we can live our daily lives safely and sleep in peace at night. Their return is not guaranteed.

Military members need society’s full support. Because of them, we are protected, served, and defended. Knowing the dangers, we still have courageous men and woman who are willing to put their lives on the line. The United States Armed forces make up less than 1 percent of the population, and yet they are protecting a whole nation.

When I think of the military, I think of the meaningful saying, “I’d take a bullet for you,” because realistically, that is exactly what they are doing. They are protecting each and every one of us. Even if you do not know someone in the military, or even if you are not closely related with someone in the military, we are one nation, under God, we are all family. No matter what your political stance may be, no matter your opinion on war, these men and women are fighting for you. They may not agree with the war themselves, but they are still doing it. Our service members are fighting for you and your families. Every fatality, every wounded warrior, every hero, did it for us.

All branches of the military work together. No branch is better than another. Whether our protectors are on active duty, reserve, or are veterans, they all enlisted knowing the sacrifices and commitments they have to make. They enlist and sign those papers, knowing that they could potentially be called to order and be deployed. For my family, this happened. Before this, I supported the troops 100 percent, but until you have been through it there is no way to fully understand the commitment and sacrifices these men and woman are making.

Knowing that when my brother got on that bus, it was going to be the last time I will see him in nearly a year and a half. Knowing that my idol, my hero, my guide, and my teacher was leaving, defending our family’s freedom and safety. Knowing that he was leaving his newborn daughter, and would miss many of her firsts. Knowing that his wife is going to be alone for a year. It is an emotion that is impossible to explain.

The uncertainty is calmed by the overbearing amount of pride and faith in our soldier. The knowing that my family is not in this alone. Knowing that my brother’s wife and daughter, our mom, dad and sister not only have each other for support, but the whole Watertown community and then some.

I cannot thank everyone enough that has been there for my brother and my family. That is how I know we will get through it together. I also know that even outside of the community we are not in this alone. There are fathers that have left their children, sons leaving their loving parents, wives that have left their husbands. A military family is the strongest of all family bonds. It is an indestructible tie. We are all family.

All in all, we need to maintain our support of our troops so they don’t loose their heroic mentality, so they can continue to persevere, so they can conquer all. There is no way to pay back our protectors. The least we can do is support and thank our forces.

So, when you are having a rough day, remember that there are people in full uniform, in 120 degree weather, carrying 40 pounds of self-protection, without a freshly cooked meal in months, without their families, without a peaceful night sleep, fighting for us. Forever, the land of the free, and home of the brave, because of the United States Armed Forces. Thank you to all that support the military. Also, I would like to extend an unspeakable thank you to that have served and are serving our country. Let’s show them the respect and consideration they deserve more than anything.